Greater Noida: A two-day long film festival, commemorating birth anniversary of Dada Saheb Phalke concluded on Monday at Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida.

The winners of the NIET’s second Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-2012, one of the prestigious film festival in the Indian short film category which everyone looks forward to, were announced.

Thief, a 25-minute short film, directed by Sayed Maaz Kazmi bagged Miniboxoffice International Film Festival-2011 award in the Best Script category. The story of the film revolves around how a hard-core thief turns Santa Claus for a young girl who the former had planned to rob.

“I am numb right now, this is so unexpected! I am overwhelmed and happy about the win. The journey of Thief is very special for me. This prestigious award gives me so much strength to continue with such work. I am blessed and away from the rat race,” Maaz, who is an alumni of Department of Communication Studies, University of Pune, said to Dainik Jagran in a telephonic interview.

In the same category, award for Best Animation Movie was bagged by Going Green, directed by Bhaskar Duggineni of Hyderabad. Shah Rukh Khan’s superhero film Ra.One, directed by Anubhav Sinha received award for Best VFX- Feature Film. Best Animation Movie in the student category was given to Use Me, directed by Sahil Mehra of Amritsar.

Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-2012 award in the Best Feature Film was given to I Am, directed by Onir, Best Short Film was given to LOC….A Play Ground, directed by Partha Sarathi Manna of Mumbai, Best Story was given to Mala Aai Vhhaychy, directed by Advt. Samruoddhi PoreySamruoddhi cine world, Mumbai.

“The honours came as a great encouragement for new talents. They have made movies without compromising on the contents. I am really happy for all the participants. The new generation is very versatile and genuine when it comes to direction,” said Sandeep Marwah, who has recently got recognition for making 1800 short movies across the world.

Award for Best Music Video was given to Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, directed by Kailash Surendranath. Mile Sur was telecast for the first time on August 15, 1988, after the telecast of the Prime Minister’s speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort. “Nothing better could represent the soul of the nation than Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I am appalled after seeing the new representation of India in the song,” said Ankita Shrivastava, a nominee in the same category.

Best Documentary award was bagged by Bahadur, directed by Aditya Seth of Drishya Movies. Festival Special Mention award was given to Gandhi- The Silent Gun, directed by Niraj Kumar Mishra.

Indo-Canadian Shorts Film Festival-2012 award in the Best Short Film (student category) went to The End, directed by Shiv Sagar of Sagar Arts Pvt.Ltd, Mumbai. Best Documentary Movie award went to An Area of Darkness, directed by Indranil Banerjee of Aaadreezz Cine Media, Kolkata.

Shiv Sagar’s The End also bagged the New Zealand Shorts Film Festival-2012 award in the Best Short Film (student category).

Expressing elation, event coordinator, Ram said, “Now we are into the second year of this award festival. The awards are gaining strength.”

Apart from screening films, the festival also featured workshops on different aspects of film production, including scripting, direction, action, stunts and animation.